Hi,

My new-to-me boat (Crown 28) has a stuffing-box, and the previous
owner replaced the flexable coupling just before I bought it (which, I
assume, requires taking the stuffing-box apart...). I didn't notice
any water in the bilge after it sat overnight, but there was about 2
gallons in after running the engine for about 2 1/2 hrs.

It could be the raw cooling water is leaking somewhere. I had a quick
look and didn't see anything suspicious (it's an old Volvo MD6A).

My suspicion is that when he checked the stuffing-box as soon as we
went in the water, it was fine. But after running the engine for a
while, the packing "settled" and it's now leaking. Does this sound
right? (I was too tired to remove all the crap required to get at the
stuffing-box last night) What is "normal procedure" for a stuffing-box
that's been re-stuffed?

Any other theories on where the water's coming from? I'll be heading
down tonight to have a look, and would appreciate any insight on what
to look for...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28

"druid" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,

My new-to-me boat (Crown 28) has a stuffing-box, and the previous
owner replaced the flexable coupling just before I bought it (which, I
assume, requires taking the stuffing-box apart...). I didn't notice
any water in the bilge after it sat overnight, but there was about 2
gallons in after running the engine for about 2 1/2 hrs.

It could be the raw cooling water is leaking somewhere. I had a quick
look and didn't see anything suspicious (it's an old Volvo MD6A).

My suspicion is that when he checked the stuffing-box as soon as we
went in the water, it was fine. But after running the engine for a
while, the packing "settled" and it's now leaking. Does this sound
right? (I was too tired to remove all the crap required to get at the
stuffing-box last night) What is "normal procedure" for a stuffing-box
that's been re-stuffed?

Any other theories on where the water's coming from? I'll be heading
down tonight to have a look, and would appreciate any insight on what
to look for...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28



It's almost certainly the stuffing box, and what Roger/Dave said are
accurate. You should also check the raw water system. I was poking around my
engine compartment a few weeks ago, noticed some seeping under the raw water
strainer, and ended up replacing the unit. Glad I did, as it was about to
go.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Oct 15, 10:11 am, "Capt. JG" wrote:
"druid" wrote in message

ups.com...



Hi,

My new-to-me boat (Crown 28) has a stuffing-box, and the previous
owner replaced the flexable coupling just before I bought it (which, I
assume, requires taking the stuffing-box apart...). I didn't notice
any water in the bilge after it sat overnight, but there was about 2
gallons in after running the engine for about 2 1/2 hrs.

It could be the raw cooling water is leaking somewhere. I had a quick
look and didn't see anything suspicious (it's an old Volvo MD6A).

My suspicion is that when he checked the stuffing-box as soon as we
went in the water, it was fine. But after running the engine for a
while, the packing "settled" and it's now leaking. Does this sound
right? (I was too tired to remove all the crap required to get at the
stuffing-box last night) What is "normal procedure" for a stuffing-box
that's been re-stuffed?

Any other theories on where the water's coming from? I'll be heading
down tonight to have a look, and would appreciate any insight on what
to look for...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28

It's almost certainly the stuffing box, and what Roger/Dave said are
accurate. You should also check the raw water system. I was poking around my
engine compartment a few weeks ago, noticed some seeping under the raw water
strainer, and ended up replacing the unit. Glad I did, as it was about to
go.

--
"j" ganz


Thanks guys, that really makes me feel better! Nothing more
frightening than finding water in the bilge of the boat you just
bought...

I'll have a look tonight: I hesitate to put her in gear at the dock,
esp. while I'm pretzeled up under the cockpit looking at the stuffing-
box, but I'll at least have a look - I suspect she's dripping now even
with the shaft not turning.

I have to replace the impeller as well, so that's another reason to
stuff myself into that compartment...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28

"druid" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Oct 15, 10:11 am, "Capt. JG" wrote:
"druid" wrote in message

ups.com...



Hi,

My new-to-me boat (Crown 28) has a stuffing-box, and the previous
owner replaced the flexable coupling just before I bought it (which, I
assume, requires taking the stuffing-box apart...). I didn't notice
any water in the bilge after it sat overnight, but there was about 2
gallons in after running the engine for about 2 1/2 hrs.

It could be the raw cooling water is leaking somewhere. I had a quick
look and didn't see anything suspicious (it's an old Volvo MD6A).

My suspicion is that when he checked the stuffing-box as soon as we
went in the water, it was fine. But after running the engine for a
while, the packing "settled" and it's now leaking. Does this sound
right? (I was too tired to remove all the crap required to get at the
stuffing-box last night) What is "normal procedure" for a stuffing-box
that's been re-stuffed?

Any other theories on where the water's coming from? I'll be heading
down tonight to have a look, and would appreciate any insight on what
to look for...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28

It's almost certainly the stuffing box, and what Roger/Dave said are
accurate. You should also check the raw water system. I was poking around
my
engine compartment a few weeks ago, noticed some seeping under the raw
water
strainer, and ended up replacing the unit. Glad I did, as it was about to
go.

--
"j" ganz


Thanks guys, that really makes me feel better! Nothing more
frightening than finding water in the bilge of the boat you just
bought...

I'll have a look tonight: I hesitate to put her in gear at the dock,
esp. while I'm pretzeled up under the cockpit looking at the stuffing-
box, but I'll at least have a look - I suspect she's dripping now even
with the shaft not turning.

I have to replace the impeller as well, so that's another reason to
stuff myself into that compartment...

druid
"Coatue" Crown 28



When I did this, I doubled my dock/spring lines, and I kept the Rs low.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Oct 15, 5:49 am, druid wrote:
... I didn't notice
any water in the bilge after it sat overnight, but there was about 2
gallons in after running the engine for about 2 1/2 hrs. ...

I agree with the previous posters about the stuffing box adjustments.
However, your water problem could be any number of things. I've seen
that kind of water ingress from a raw water pump with bad bearings for
instance. Also, if you were underway when the water came in it might
have come in through a head or sink. At any rate, I think it would be
a good idea to look at all of the engine (use a bright flash light and
mirror) while it is running and see if there are leaks. You may do
this in neutral if you must, though you do want it to get warm and at
some point it will be nice to see the stuffing box when the engine is
running. You really ought to be able to run the engine in gear at low
rpms in the slip. If you can't then the set-up is unlikely to be
satisfactory in bad weather and you should think about moving to a
more secure spot.

-- Tom.